The year was 1789. The place? News York City. George Washington (yes, THE George Washington) firmly placed his hand on the Bible, marking the first of an important American tradition: the presidential inauguration. Beyond just being a ceremony where a president takes the oath and swears over a Bible, the tradition of inaugurations has symbolized democracy, served as a smooth transfer of power, and been monumental for the identity and culture of Americans. 

But wait, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. What exactly is an inauguration? A presidential inauguration is the official act and ceremony of swearing in the newly elected president where they take an oath. They promise to  “Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States”. . This tradition has been held every four years and takes place on January 20th. From parades to speeches, this day marks the end of one era, and the start of another. 

Depending on how much you remember from your US History class, many inaugurations have been nothing short of notable. For example, Abraham Lincoln delivered his oath in 1861, bringing hope and unity even when the nation was divided, right before the start of the Civil War. 

Does the quote “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” sound familiar? Well, these famous words were spoken by John F. Kennedy in his 1961 inauguration.  

Additionally, when our nation was going through the Great Depression, in the 1933 Inauguration, Franklin D. Roosevelt used this opportunity to assure Americans and say that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  

More recently in 2009, Barack Obama’s historic swearing-in  as the first African American president marked notable progress for our nation, even drawing a record-breaking crowd of 2 million people. 

What do all these inaugurations, despite being decades or even centuries apart, have in common? They set a tone for presidencies, bring hope for the future, and inspire entire generations. 

Presidential inaugurations have also shaped American culture as a blend of politics, art, and popular culture. Whether that be Robert Frost’s inaugural poems, or iconic musical performances by Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin, these artists have used the inauguration as an opportunity to use storytelling and music to inspire hope. 

We must highlight how the last two presidential inaugurations in the United States were anything but ordinary, each reflecting the intense political and social climate of its time. The 2017 inauguration of Donald Trump was marked by widespread protests,  and the 2021 inauguration of Joe Biden took place under even more unusual circumstances, during a global pandemic and just weeks after the. January 6th Capitol Riot.  Both events highlighted deep political divisions that can take place in our country.  

Inaugurations have served as more than a political ceremony, the simple oath of the new president has a bigger impact than that. We feel the oath echo as they impact culture, celebrate democracy, speak to the American people, and inspire hope and unity in our nation. They have for years, and at The Golden Progressive, we hope that they will continue to do so for years to come.